Ultraviolet monitoring systems, methods, and devices

Abstract

In embodiments, a control system for a UV air treatment system, especially one used for cleaning a fume stream such as in a kitchen exhaust system, detects a need for cleaning maintenance on the UV light source based on changes in light intensity. The system further detects the light intensity each time the UV light source is cleaned to determine if the drop in intensity after cleaning indicates that the UV light source should be replaced. The cleaning and replacement requirements are indicated automatically by a user interface.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of maintaining an ultra-violet air treatment system, the method comprising:
 detecting light output from an ultraviolet light source at multiple points in time; 
 providing light output data from said detecting to a controller of the ultra-violet air treatment system; 
 from a first trend in the data representing multiple instances of the detecting light, determining by the controller a first maintenance action required to elevate the light output from the light source and outputting an indication of the first maintenance action; 
 detecting by the controller a performance of the first maintenance action; and 
 from a second trend in the data representing multiple instances of the detecting the light in combination with the detecting the performance of the first maintenance action, determining by the controller a second maintenance action and outputting an indication of a need for the second maintenance action responsively thereto. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the detecting a performance of the first maintenance action includes detecting a change in light output indicating completion of the first maintenance action. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the first maintenance action includes cleaning the ultraviolet light source. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the second maintenance action includes replacing or repairing the ultraviolet light source. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the outputting includes displaying a message on a user interface of a kitchen exhaust system indicating, respectively, the need for the first and second maintenance actions. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the second maintenance action includes replacing or repairing the ultraviolet light source. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the outputting includes displaying a message on a user interface of a kitchen exhaust system indicating, respectively, the need for the first and second maintenance actions. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first maintenance action includes cleaning the ultraviolet light source. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the second maintenance action includes replacing or repairing the ultraviolet light source. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the outputting includes displaying a message on a user interface of a kitchen exhaust system indicating, respectively, the need for the first and second maintenance actions. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the detecting a performance includes receiving a user input indicating the completion of the first maintenance action. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second maintenance action includes replacing or repairing the ultraviolet light source. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the detecting a performance includes receiving a user input indicating the completion of the first maintenance action. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the outputting includes displaying a message on a user interface of a kitchen exhaust system indicating, respectively, the need for the first and second maintenance actions. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the detecting a performance includes receiving a user input indicating the completion of the first maintenance action. 
     
     
       16. A method of maintaining an ultra-violet air treatment system, the method comprising:
 detecting light output from an ultraviolet light source at multiple points in time; 
 when the light output drops to a first level, outputting an indication that the ultraviolet light source needs to be cleaned; and 
 in response to a detection that the ultraviolet light source has been cleaned and a detection of a light output below a second level at a time approximately contemporaneous with the detection that the ultraviolet light source has been cleaned, outputting an indication that the ultraviolet light source needs to be changed. 
 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16 , wherein the outputting an indication that the ultraviolet light source needs to be changed is performed subsequent to the time approximately contemporaneous with the detection that the ultraviolet light source has been cleaned. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17 , wherein the ultraviolet light source includes multiple lamps in a ventilation plenum. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18 , wherein the ultraviolet light source includes multiple lamps in a chamber downstream of at least one kitchen exhaust hood. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 19 , wherein a programmable digital controller receives results of said detecting the light output and determines that the light source needs to be cleaned based on the received results.